Every so often a cultural phenomenon comes around that has domestic violence intervention and prevention providers scratching their heads, and Twilight is one of those things. The books and movies, which portrays a romance between a vampire and a human (Edward and Bella), contain many situations and quotes that indicate the two are in an abusive relationship. SafeHaven’s Director of Prevention Services, Eric May, provided the following list of these situations and quotes:

Edward: “You are confused, Bella…nobody’s going to believe you.” (About the car crash) 

Edward: “Can you at least watch where you walk? … we shouldn’t be friends.”

Edward: “If you are smart, you’d stay away from me.”

Edward: “What if I’m the bad guy?”

Edward followed her to Port Angeles and later said, “I feel very protective of you.”

Edward: “I don’t have the strength to stay away from you anymore.”

Edward (forcefully): “Say it!”, Bella: “Vampire.” Edward: “Then ask me the most basic question…what do we eat?” (this is an example of scaring and intimidation.)

Edward: “Everything about me invites you in … for me to kill you.”

Edward: “I’m designed to kill. I’ve killed people before. I want to kill you. I’ve never wanted a human’s blood so much in my life.”

Edward:  “You are my own personal brand of heroin.”

Edward: “I don’t want to be a monster.”

Bella: “I can’t dance.” Edward: “I could always make you.”

Bella: “I’m not scared of you.” Edward: “You shouldn’t have said that.” (then he scares her)

Mike, to Bella: “You and Cullen? I don’t like it. He looks at you like you’re something to eat.” (Warnings from others)

Edward constantly sneaks into Bella’s room and watches her sleep.

Bella must break ties with her family/lie to them (isolation).

After one date with Edward, Bella becomes “part of the family.” This is an example fo moving too quickly in a relationship.

Edward: “Bella, you are my life now.”

Bella: “Dying for the person I love seems like a good way to go.”

Bella: “We can’t be apart.”

Edward: “I leave you alone for two minutes, and the wolves descend.” (An example of jealousy).